The Reading Council of Greater Winnipeg has a long standing tradition of celebrating National Family Literacy Day by buying books to give to families who have babies born on this day. National Family Literacy Day took place Saturday, January 27th. This year, the council donated 16 English copies and 4 French copies of LOVE YOU FOREVER by Robert Munsch to the St. Boniface Hospital and 24 English copies to the Women’s Hospital.

Reading to children everyday from birth has many benefits. From my own experience, I know that reading to my two year old every day builds a strong relationship between my child and myself. Reading to children is also a way to introduce them to the sounds and rhythms of language. According to Brian Gallagher, the Acting Executive Director of Reach Out and Read, “The brain develops faster than any other time between the ages of zero and three. Because of this, it’s important to foster literacy during the early stages of life” (2011). Gallagher goes on to say that providing parents with books and encouraging them to read to children regularly is part of preparing children to eventually become successful in school. This is what the Reading Council of Greater Winnipeg aims to be a part of when they give books to families on National Family Literacy Day.

For more information about early literacy, please visit Early Literacy from Scholastic and Early Childhood Education from Manitoba Education. ABOUT THE AUTHOR – Sherisse Spenst is the co-chair of RCGW's Community Outreach committee, along with Lindsay Harms. She is a Past-President of the Reading Council of Greater Winnipeg and teaches Grade 8. Sherisse submitted this article on behalf of her committee and Lindsay Harms.